N.B.This
information should be read in association withHand-rearing
of Orphaned Wildlife which contains background information together with
links to the Electronic Library and Organisations (UK Contacts). The related Species pages
contain similar linkages.

Description

This page has been prepared for the "UK
Wildlife: First Aid and Care" Wildpro module, and is designed for the
needs of the following species: Vulpes
vulpes - Red fox

1) Rearing in the original earth

Particularly suitable for cubs of six weeks old or more, in a safe place.

Young mammals have poor ability to maintain body temperature and are prone to
hypothermia, hyperthermia and burns, particularly when unfurred.

Keep out of draughts but ensure ventilation is adequate.

Provide a temperature range, e.g. by heating one end of the container more than the
other, which, while not allowing either overheating or chilling, permits the animal to
chose the position at which it feels most comfortable.

The container used should be sufficiently large to allow the occupant to move into a
comfortable position.

The sides of the container should be sufficiently high to prevent the occupant falling
out.

Bedding materials should be soft, comfortable and either disposable or easily washed.
They should keep the animal dry and be changed as frequently as necessary to prevent
soiling.

Maintain small mammals initially at 32°C, then 28°C, later 23°C.(P3.1987.w5)
Initially at 95°F for a hairless baby, 90°F
for a haired infant with the eyes still closed, and reduce by 5°F
per week once the eyes are open.(B194)

Fox specific information:

Heat is required for young cubs, particularly under two weeks old.

A hot water bottle well wrapped in a blanket is appropriate as a heat source.

Supplementary heat is not usually needed by three to four weeks of age.

May be kept in box or small cage initially.

From three to four weeks of age a kennel, cage or large hutch (rabbit-type) may be used,
with plenty of fresh bedding.

From six weeks old cubs should be kept outside in e.g. an old outbuilding, garden shed,
outside run.

Very small animals - feeding may be encouraged by placing a drop of milk on the infant's
lips, preferably with animal held upright.(P3.1987.w5)

To feed using a medicine dropper:

Hold the infant in one hand with its head slightly higher than its body, place the
dropper just inside the animal's lips and press the bulb extremely gently to place a tiny
drop of formula in the infant's mouth to encourage feeding to start. As it begins to suck
or lick the dropper may be pressed very gently to assist the infant to take the formula.(B194)

If a bubble of liquid appears at the nose or the infant opens its mouth wide,
immediately stop feeding and tilt the infant head down to allow the excess formula to
drain from its mouth. Give the infant a chance to recover then start again more slowly.(B194)

A similar technique can be used with a small syringe, pressing very slowly on the
plunger as the infant sucks or licks.(V.w5)

When feeding very small neonates it is vital that the feeding technique used provides
milk at a sufficiently slow rate to minimise the risk of milk being inhaled with resultant
aspiration pneumonia.(V.w26)

Wild animals should not be taken for hand-rearing unless they are definitely
orphaned, abandoned or injured, or in immediate danger.

Only hand-rear if absolutely necessary, i.e. injured/diseased or truly orphaned and less
than six weeks old. (D24)

For older cubs (6 weeks), leave in original earth and provide food in situ.

N.B. Fox cubs are rarely abandoned. Possible scenarios include:-

One cub may be left behind for a day when a litter is moved to a different earth. Such a
cub should be moved ONLY if it requires protection from people or dogs, minimise
handling, keep in box with e.g. straw or wood shavings, offer small amount
water/puppy milk, return to earth about dusk. Consider hand-rearing only if the cub is
still present the following morning.

Cub which has become trapped and/or requires cleaning (e.g. from oil in car inspection
pit) should be assisted as required and returned to its earth (if known) as soon as
possible or to the site where it was found (release about midnight because fewer people,
dogs and traffic will be present.

Cubs may be seen outside the earth during the day. If playing, sunning, and with food
scraps about, leave alone.

If lethargic, no food remains, little playing, much calling, may be
genuinely orphaned.

Minimise sight, sound and contact with animals of other species, particularly dogs. (D22)

Avoid all handling once no longer being bottle fed: do not play with the cub, do not
bring visitors, and ensure that the cub is kept in isolated area.(D22,
D24)

Provide "toys" for enrichment and stimulation e.g. balls, old stuffed toys,
dog chews, rags for playing and play-hunting; these are particularly important if rearing
a single cub in isolation.( if single cub).(D22)

Can escape through very small holes (adult may get through 10cm square (4 inches square)
hole.(D22,
D25)

Regularly check accommodation is secure.

Hand-reared foxes may become too willing to show themselves in daylight. It may be of
long term benefit for the well-being of the fox cub to discourage these behaviours, using
safe techniques which are associated with no ill effects e.g. by throwing an empty soft
drinks can at the cub if it comes out of its shed during the day. (V.w18)

Routine records should be maintained of daily weight, times of each feed, quantities of
milk consumed, urine/faeces production and general condition/demeanour. Such records
provide an objective means of assessing progress and provide useful data for improving
rearing methods.(V.w5)

Rearing of foxes to produce a physically healthy cub is not difficult.

Rearing without habituation to humans requires much more care.

It is strongly recommended that juvenile foxes are transferred to expert individuals
or organisations as rearing and successful release requires considerable
expertise and specialised pre-release accommodation. While rearing by inexperienced
persons may result in a physically healthy juvenile, the chance of survival after release
may be seriously reduced if expert techniques have not been correctly applied.

Products and equipment all widely available, not particularly expensive.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

It is very important to consider the potential problems of imprinting/taming before
taking cubs from the wild or starting to rear a cub.

Hand-rearing should not be started without:

a commitment to keeping the cub(s) as wild as possible;

suitable facilities, e.g. a suitable outbuilding or specially built pen within which the
cub can be maintained from about six weeks old;

the commitment to rear the cub(s) to independence at about six months old.

Consider whether hand-rearing is the best option for the individual compared with
leaving it in the wild.

Consider whether euthanasia is a more humane/kinder option for the individual than
attempting hand-rearing.

Euthanasia may be more humane than incorrect rearing/release.

A fox which is improperly prepared prior to release and is simply 'dumped' is unlikely
to survive.

Foxes are not suitable as pets, even in rural surroundings.

Foxes should not be released at a site where the landowner/manager is unsympathetic to
foxes.

Once in captivity a fox is legally protected against actions causing stress or
suffering.

An offence may be committed under the Abandonment
of Animals Act 1960 Section 1 if a released animal does not have a reasonable
chance of survival (i.e. a chance similar to its non-rehabilitated peers). It is an
offence under this Act for a person having control or charge of an animal to abandon it
permanently or otherwise in circumstances likely to cause unnecessary suffering. This
may include release at an unsuitable site, in the wrong territory, unfit, not having
learned to hunt, at the wrong time of year etc.(J35.147.w1,
B156.21.w21,
B223,
W5.Jan01)